Cartmen's cartman sees profit in short trips

Shuttle run: Brian Metzger, the owner of Cartmen, says there is a need for a short-trip shuttle downtown.

As owner of Cartmen LLC, Bryan Metzger recognized a need for a shuttle service. “We’re mainly phone call-based and I deliver people directly to their door,” Metzgar said. A typical route could run from Front Street to Forest Hills and anywhere in-between.

Different from a taxi or the trolley, Metzger said Cartmen golf carts represent a safer and cleaner way to get from A to B in downtown Wilmington. Cartmen also gives tours of Historic Downtown Wilmington.

“We have familiar faces whereas taxis have cigarette smoke and last night’s puke,” Metzger said. The golf cart can fit up to 6 people including the driver. 

On cold and rainy nights, a cover can be used. Metzger prefers a speed limit close to 12 mph to ensure the safety of his patrons.

The main focus being public safety, Cartmen golf carts are equipped with seatbelts, turn signals, windshield wipers and headlights – since they are required to meet Department of Transportation regulations.

Metzger believes people aren’t coming downtown as much anymore because of how downtown is portrayed. “Crime rate isn’t as bad if you look at statistics – a lot has been exaggerated and people are scared
to come downtown – if there’s a way to make a public safety image, more and more people will come and
businesses will make money,” Metzger said.

American flags have adorned the golf carts since starting the business this summer on July 4.  Over the months, he has expanded Cartmen to two golf carts with access to more and several employees that can be called for busy weekends.

“I have other drivers I can call for weddings and other large events,” Metzger said. Cartmen also helped shuttle people at the Historic Wilmington 5K.

Since Cartmen is phone call-based, people are rarely picked up off the street.  Word of mouth and business cards help keep Cartmen rolling. 

“Restaurants and bars have my phone number,” he said. Patrons can call Cartmen if they’re out having a bite and need a quick ride to their cars. It’s the customer’s decision on how much to pay, since Cartmen runs only off tips. He’s even accepted a turkey pie when a patron didn’t have any money to give. 

In order to not be considered a taxi, Cartmen doesn’t have a fare. “If you don’t charge a fare, you don’t have to be regulated—the city has no jurisdiction over what I do,” Metzger said.

Major concerns for Cartmen right now are the economy and road construction. “The biggest threats are the upcoming North Front Street construction and the economy, definitely,” Metzger said. 

Metzger said he doesn’t have much competition in this area since no one else is doing anything like it. “I’m picking up the work that cabs don’t want and people don’t really like taking cabs.”  

Goals for Cartmen are to keep doing business downtown and also to expand to other parts of Wilmington. “To stay in business and have golf carts in Wrightsville Beach are some first-year goals,” said Metzger.  Metzger’s five-year plans include franchising the corporation in other cities like Wilmington across the U.S.  

“But, the main goal is to keep people coming downtown,” he said.